Finally blaming himself instead of the “New York media” for taking his remarks “out of context,” Islanders coach Bill Stewart admitted his Monday-night diatribe following the loss to the Rangers was “inappropriate.”

“It was a misunderstanding on my part,” a humble Stewart said. “I didn’t explain my comments in detail as I have been all long. That’s the emotional part of the game. Certainly, I’m the one to blame for not giving you guys the full understanding of what I said.

“It’s a very fine line when you explain things. And certainly I think I’ve done an adequate job of explaining myself with the exception of one blip. But people make mistakes. The way it was addressed was inappropriate on my part.”

Stewart’s mea culpa comes three days after his Monday-night remarks incensed GM Mike Milbury and ownership. Commenting on the loss, Stewart said, in part, “Did you see our lineup? Enough said … If we had the resources to acquire National Hockey League talent, would it be a different story? It’s pretty clear.”

Stewart’s status for next season has never been more unclear. When asked if he feels the damage has been done, Stewart said, “That’s not for me to comment.”

“I talked to Mike the day after the incident happened,” Stewart said. “He’s a man who, as a coach and player, played a very emotional game himself. The Ranger game is an emotional game and an intense game. We all make mistakes, fellas. It’s a bigger man who steps up to the plate and admits when he doesn’t fully explain things.”

Stewart, who had won big at every level at which he’s coached and was considered one of the bright young coaching prospects, has been burdened with a post-firesale lineup consisting of as many as seven rookies and 13 players with less than 100 games NHL experience. That’s life with Howard Milstein’s Isles, who are auditioning young players as they start from scratch on yet another rebuilding phase.

Beyond Stewart’s statements Monday that happened to be the brutal truth, Isles brass is concerned he’s too cocky for a rookie coach, that he wouldn’t publicly commit to the Isles for next season until he was under fire and hasn’t acted like a company man.